Three held in Moreno Valley pawn shop robbery and chase

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Three Los Angeles County men arrested in connection with a shooting and robbery at a Moreno Valley pawn shop followed by a high-speed chase and manhunt that shut down Cal State Fullerton face possible charges of conspiracy, robbery and attempted murder.

Riverside County Sheriffâs deputies said five men were involved in the robbery, and two were still at large on Thursday, Dec. 13.

A male employee shot during the robbery was in critical but stable condition at an undisclosed hospital. His identity is being kept confidential for his safety, the sheriffâs office said.

Deputies said four masked men armed with handguns entered Empire Jewelry and Loan, a combination pawn shop and jewelry store in the 24500 block of Sunnymead Boulevard, shortly after 3 p.m. Wednesday, while a fifth waited in the getaway car, a dark-colored Lexus.

Authorities described the car in an alert to other agencies.

The California Highway Patrol spotted the Lexus on Highway 60, starting the chase that went to Orange County.

Two of the men were arrested on or near the Cal State Fullerton campus, where they fled when the Lexus crashed into a parked vehicle after they exited Highway 57 near the school.

The third man allegedly carjacked another vehicle and fled to Watts, prompting a second car chase.

He ran from that car and was taken into custody on a baseball field in the recreation area of the Imperial Courts housing project.

All three were handed over to the Moreno Valley Police Department and booked for investigation of conspiracy to commit a felony, plus robbery and attempted murder counts.

There are individual allegations as well that could define their possible roles in the holdup, shooting and chase. The trio could be arraigned as soon as Friday, Dec. 14.

Of the two men who evaded arrest, one fled into the campus and the other into the surrounding neighborhood, authorities said.

In custody in at the Robert Presley Detention Center were:

Traevon Cortez Vidaud, 24, of Compton, who is additionally under investigation for evading a police officer/reckless driving.

Vidaud was identified Thursday as the man who allegedly led officers on the second chase to Watts.

Jerome Renard Allen, 23, of Los Angeles who also faces a possible county of carrying a loaded firearm in commission of a felony.

Damine Lavonte Banks, 30, of Los Angeles who is under investigation for the conspiracy, robbery and attempted murder allegations.

Vidaud and Allen are additionally charged with felony parole violations. . Banks is being held on $1 million bail; Allen and Vidaud are no-bail holds.

Cal State Fullerton was shut down Wednesday night as SWAT officers searched buildings and rooms.

Students tweeted that finals are going on this week. Classes and activities resumed Thursday.

The Moreno Valley Police Department asked anyone with knowledge of the case to contact Investigator Ed Rose at 951-486-6710.

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